1. A Glimpse into Nazi Germany
Life Under Hitler
A Glimpse into Nazi Germany

2. Vocabulary Nazism: a type of Fascist ideology
Most often associated with Hitler’s leadership in Germany after WWI
Key Components:
Racism:
Especially Anti-Semitism: hatred against Jews
Belief that White, German/Nordic races are superior to all others
Creation of a master race (“Racial Hygiene”)
Anti-Democracy, Anti-Communist:
No freedoms of speech/press
No labor unions
No political parties
Fuhrerprinzip (Leader Principle): belief in the leader and his authority

3. Vocabulary
Third Reich: the government of Germany under Nazi Power, began in 1933
SS (“Schutzstaffel”): the Nazi protection squadron; replaced the SA SA
The “Brownshirts”
Pre-WWII
Eliminated (1934) once Hitler gained power

4. The Lebensborn Program
Creating a Master Race

5. What the heck was Lebensborn?
A program founded by Heinrich Himmler (head of the SS) in 1935
Purpose:
Reverse the decline of the German population and increase the Germanic/Nordic (master race) population to 120 million

6. How did he plan to do that?
Offered young women who were deemed “racially pure” the opportunity to give birth to a child in secret.
Women had to prove they were “racially pure” – only 40% of those who applied were accepted into the program.
Women and children would have support, and would be provided a home in which to have the child in safety and comfort.
The SS would raise and educate the child, then adopt it out to good Nazi families.

7. Did it work?
Kind of.
Many Lebensborn homes were built throughout the Northern and Eastern Europe.
Decorated with items stolen from Jewish prisoners who were sent to Dachau.
However, by 1939, it hadn’t worked as expected.